Pakistan Views

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman has said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led government wants to take along all allied parties. She said the government would not fill the portfolios vacated by the PML-N Ministers except the Minister for Finance. “Finance is an important portfolio to run daily national business, therefore the government would assign it to any suitable person. Otherwise we intended not to include our members in the cabinet,” Sherry told media persons at the Parliament House.
She also stated that PPP would not field its candidates against Mian Nawaz Sharif and other PML (N) leaders during the upcoming by-polls as her party is committed to maintain the reconciliation culture. In reply to a question, Sherry said, PPP still stands by its pledge to restore pre-November 3, 2007 judiciary under framework of Bhurban Accord, however, she said, the matter should not be hyped to crisis through deadlines.

Minister for Information Sherry Rehman on Monday said that all laws discriminatory to free press will be removed in consultation with media representatives and the stake holders.Speaking in the Senate on a motion to discuss the performance of Pemra, she said the coalition government has been in power for only five weeks and its first legislative act has been the introduction of repealing the Pemra amendments.”We will dismantle all the laws which put bar on media,” Sherry said.She said the legislation process will be carried out in consultation with all the stakeholders.She warned the Pemra not to do things which it has been doing in the past like shutting down channels and cable operators.”I do not want to hear that any cables or channels were shut down by Pemra on its behalf or by any actor of the state. This is not the policy of PPP (government) and will not be in the future either,” she said. She said the practices in the past by Pemra were ‘black practices’ and must be condemned.She said regulatory bodies like Pemra must have representatives of working media as well as broadcasters association on its board.The interests of the working media, Sherry added, were ignored in the past which must be changed as it is PPP government now which is committed to workers rights.She regretted that in the garb of regulations, curbs have been put on media to serve vested interests.Regulations, she added, were essential but the role of the ministry should be that of a facilitator and not a regulator.She also announced that freedom of expression and access to information bill will soon be introduced in the parliament.She urged the media to form its own code of conduct for which the ministry will facilitate with inputs from stakeholders.Sherry said the last regime brought about tough defamation laws which have been met with strong criticism from media because of penalties for small offenses.She stressed the need for reconciliation for which political maturity was very essential. She said that democracy, for which the PPP gave many sacrifices, remains incomplete without a free media.”The preservation of democratic traditions is possible through an independent media. Without an independent media no democratic process is complete,” she said.She said Benazir gave her life for the spirit of reconciliation and wanted a peaceful transition towards democratic traditions.
Sherry said PPP has greatly suffered from attacks on democracy directly affecting its workers and supporters.She said legislation was the proper way of governance and to rule through issuance of ordinances does not suit any government.Referring to press and publication registration ordinance, she said the government will soon remove it so that there can be no bar on the publication of a newspaper.

Pakistan’s Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman said here on Friday that her country was committed to taking forward the ongoing dialogue process with India “as peace is a prerequisite” for sustainable development and stability in the region. She was talking to reporters after attending the last rituals of prominent peace campaigner, Nirmala Deshpande, who passed away on Thursday. Sherry said that Nirmala’s death was a great loss not only for India but also for Pakistan as she had played a crucial role in consolidating and promoting the dialogue process between the two countries.She said that Nirmala, popularly known as ‘Deedi’ (elder sister), had greatly contributed, with the help of MPs from Pakistan, towards establishment of Pak-India Parliamentary Forum, the first in the region to make the peace process sustainable and irreversible.The Minister remarked that such persons in the two countries “never die”, and Deshpande’s life-long noble struggle for love, affection and peace among various cultures, faiths and especially across the border, would always remind the generations to come about these accomplishments. She said that the death of Deshpande had created a huge gap, difficult to be filled in the years to come.She, however, expressed the resolve that the government and parliamentarians of Pakistan would encourage peace activities on both sides to continue carrying forward this noble mission to facilitate and promote people to people contact between the two nations. Sherry said she, along with Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas, and PPP leader Manzoor Ahmed, especially came to the Indian capital to represent the government and the people of Pakistan at the last rites of Nirmala Deshpande to pay homage.She also met several Indian leaders and MPs, including Secretary General Congress Rahul Gandhi, and conveyed condolences on behalf of Pakistan government on the demise of the peace activist. Rahul specially thanked the government of Pakistan for sending a delegation to share the grief.

The deposed judges would be restored on pre-November 3 positions through an act of parliament, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman said on Tuesday.
Talking to media at parliament house, the minister said those who are talking of count down for restoration of judges should not be part of any bid to destabilise the country.”Pakistan Peoples Party is a democratic party and committed to Murree Declaration; our coalition with PML-N will also continue,” Sherry Rehman maintained.”PPP believes in reconciliation and is committed to fulfil all the promises made with nation,” she added.In reply to a question, Sherry said their party would counter reverse counting against them,” however, it does not mean to threaten anyone,” she clarified.Replying to another query, she said PPP has not yet considered to resign from Punjab cabinet in response to PML-N’s possible resigning from federal cabinet.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sherry Rehman, has said that ‘we believe in negotiations with all the parties and we will continue the process of dialogue with all’.She said this remarking the latest updates in talks between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) while talking to media men at Karachi Airport on Saturday on arrival here from Islamabad.Minister said that we want a government of reconciliation and the city of Karachi, province of Sindh and the country needs a new beginning.She pointed out that Benazir Bhutto has sacrificed her life for the politics of reconciliation and we want that there should not be politics of conflict or polarization.Sherry Rehman said that in a peaceful environment, the people can be extended more and more relief.She pointed out that the PPP government has initiated a process of reconciliation which requires spirit of tolerance and that of forget and forgive.”We have to give each other a chance”, Sherry Rehman remarked and said that we will have to carry the country forward.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Incharge Minister for Health Sherry Rehman on Saturday directed to review the existing health policy and make it pro-poor.”It was shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s desire to restructure the health and education system and deliver necessary social services to the people at their doorstep,” she said while chairing a meeting of health ministry officials here on Saturday.She said that pro-poor health policy was essential to ensure health coverage both in rural and urban areas.The Minister stressed on improving the monitoring and evaluation system for ensuring better results and help address the health problems of people.Appreciating the performance of the Lady Health Workers programme, Sherry termed it the most cost effective primary healthcare system. She said it was Benazir who started this community based system which has now become a model for other countries.Sherry Rehman desired to keep a balance in the preventive and curative health services. Commenting on a presentation given to her by Secretary Health Khushnood Akhtar Lashari, the minister said that with growing population, the health planners should be mindful of the increasing trend in non-communicable diseases.

US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson called on Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sherry Rehman, here on Friday. During the meeting, they discussed issues related to bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and US.The Minister apprised the ambassador about the vision of the new government for the freedom of media and welfare of the journalists in the country. “Women empowerment, press freedom and protection of minorities’ rights in the country are the top priorities of the government as envisioned by late Benazir Bhutto”, she said.Patterson said that the US wanted to build long-term and multi-faceted relations with Pakistan. She emphasised the need for expanded cooperation between the two countries, particularly in economic sector. Patterson appreciated the new government’s efforts to deregulate the media and to increase public access to information.

Federal Information Minister Sherry Rehman said the government of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will strengthen the federation and 1973 Constitution provides a vital force for the existence of Pakistan.Addressing her first press conference at Bilawal House in Karachi after taking charge of his ministry, she said the PPP is the representative of four provinces and its martyred chairperson Benazir Bhutto was known as the link among the four provinces, proving which, she laid down her life for the restoration of democracy.The federal information minister said though Benazir Bhutto is not with us physically, her vision is always here to provide us the guidance.Sherry Rehman said that her party has the reconciliatory approach and the whole world is looking very intently at the new democratic government, adding to nourish this small sapling, the government needs cooperation from media and common man.‘To remove the black laws of November 3, the summary has been sent to the Law ministry,’ the minister vowed the parliament would have supremacy and judiciary would be independent.Reacting to a question regarding Zardari meeting at Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) headquarters today, she said her party has taken all the coalition partners into confidence for this, ‘As we believe in the reconciliation process and will resolve all issues including PEMRA with the same spirit.’Responding anther question regarding inquiry in to Benazir’s murder, she said the PM secretariat and the foreign office are looking into the matter to hold the UN inquiry into Benazir’s murder.

Secretary Information Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Sherry Rehman on Monday said that the government against the black laws of Pemra, which would be repealed now. Speaking to a TV programme, she said a mediatory committee of stakeholder was formed comprising media persons and members of parliament and representatives of human rights. “It had forwarded recommendations and we would implement those. We have made some other announcements that not only media but common citizen would have access to the information about the decision making process by the executive”, she added. Sherry Rehman said Parliamentary committees have important role and they would be formed to ensure transparency and accountability, adding media would be completely free and black laws of Pemra imposed in 2007 would be revoked.

Information Secretary PPPP Sherry Rehman on Saturday said that extremism is a domestic issue of the country and entire nation should join hands for an amicable solution of this menace.Talking to a private TV she said that when the innocent citizens, the security men and even the school children are targeted in terrorist acts it becomes the national responsibility of all to help control the menace.”If we don’t accept the terrorism and extremism as our domestic issue, it would mean that we are fighting the war of somebody else in our country”, the PPPP leader said.She said that realistic approach should be adopted by the entire stake holder to deal with such contentious issues to ensure the rule of law in the country.To a question she said the political governments have to fulfil their promises made during the election campaign adding the CoD as well as Murree Declaration would be implemented by the coalition government.Asked what policy the new government will adopt with respect to Lal Masjid issue the Sherry said, it was due to the negligence of the previous government that arms and ammunition were stocked in the seminary which led to a military operation.She said there is no justification in stock piling of arms in religious seminaries and educational institutions because this practice leads to anarchy.Pakistan is a democratic country and all the issues should be settled democratically rather than indulging in violence, she said.She expressed the hope that new coalition government would succeed in solving the problems faced by the people including the terrorism.A number of bold steps were announced by the Prime Minister after taking the unanimous confidence vote and hopefully the things will move in positive direction in the days to come, she said.